HILLCREST PLAYERS GIVES YOUNG ACTORS A PLACE TO BE THEMSELVES

The students participating in POLLY WANTS A CURTAIN CALL, the latest Hillcrest Players production all sing a similar theme about their experience: It’s a place where we can be ourselves!

The latest work by published playwright Victoria Sayeg is POLLY WANTS A CURTAIN CALL, featuring kids ages 7 to 14. Kelli Lay is a nine year old from Thousand Oaks. She says, “Young Artists Ensemble is allowing kids to follow their dreams and let us become family.” Kelli plays three roles in the production: Waiter, Sandy, and Cruise Coordinator, and hopes “the play impacts the audience to follow their dreams and believe they can do anything.”

Emery Eckman, a 13 year old from Simi Valley, shares the sentiment. “I hope the audience will leave this play having a new, positive view on life knowing that even though you are not perfect, you should always do the right thing.” Emery plays Chef, an Italian who “thinks anything with meat is a masterpiece.” Emery adds, “He may look a little scary with a knife, but really he is a sensitive man.”

Pooja Krishman, a ten year old from Newbury Park, plays the role of Jamie, described as “someone who gets mad easy, but seems smooth on the surface.” Pooja says, “I don’t usually get mad so easily and I don’t usually speak with a British accent, so everything is new to me. I get to figure out how to do everything from scratch.” Pooja adds. “I honestly hope that people feel good about themselves, and will be able to relate to a character or two.”

The Upside Down Sword Guy is played by 14 year old Kai Moore from Thousand Oaks, and in case you were wondering it’s the sword that is upside down, not the guy. “My character is a goofy guy who isn’t very bright and obviously, holds his sword upside down,” says Kai. “I hope this play will brighten people’s day and spark their sense of humor.”

This is not the first world premiere to be presented by this group known as Hillcrest Players, a miniature version of the productions presented by Young Artists Ensemble. In fact, it’s the fourth. Three were written by Sayeg, who will also direct this play. Sayeg has written and directed several productions for Young Artists Ensemble. Recently, her play “Wanda the Psychic Wombat” was published by Dramatic Publishing. Children’s theatre is near and dear to her, having studied theatre as a child at South Coast Repertory and Gold Coast Theatre Conservatory. She now works full time for Young Artists Ensemble.

The purpose of these productions are to give the youngest of actors an opportunity to flex their artistic muscles in shorter plays that are less demanding than a full-length show. By presenting easier one-acts, the children have a positive experience. “We find that this increases their self-esteem, self-awareness and self-discipline in a stress-free and fun forum,” says director Sayeg.

In the end, it is these young actors who will bring yet another theatrical work to life. But what they take away is priceless. According to Pooja, “Our cast is like another family to me, I can do or say anything, and I don’t get called out for it. I can also act exactly how I want to, and I’m still accepted.”

It’s truly a family experience for Kai, who gets to work with his two brothers, Kieran and Kaige, on this production.

“We have worked very hard on this play and had a lot of fun,” Emery interjects. “This play has given me more confidence and affected me greatly.”

And Kelli concludes with, “I hope they do this for years to come!”

POLLY WANTS A CURTAIN CALL will be performed at the Hillcrest Center’s Theatre on the Hill, Saturdays, October 17 and 24, 2015. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling (805) 381-1246 or ordering on the web site at www.yaeonline.com. There is a 10% discount for groups of ten or more.